Indycar driver Will Power speaks with a crew member in the pits following the second practice session of the weekend Friday April 7, 2017 at the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Power posted the quickest practice lap of the day. (Photo by Will Lester/SCNG)

Indycar driver Will Power pulls into his pit following the second practice session of the weekend Friday April 7, 2017 at the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Power posted the quickest practice lap of the day. (Photo by Will Lester/SCNG)

LONG BEACH >> On the surface, it might seem like IndyCar driver Will Power has added motivation to perform well in Sunday’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. After all, his mother Margaret is in town from Australia, and this is only the second time she’s come to one of her son’s races during his wonderful career.

But after coming through with the top practice time of 1:07.0800 during the second of two sessions Friday, Power had reporters cracking up when he told them why she’s in town.

“She’s really here to see my son, not me, so that’s the only real reason she came,” said Power, of Toowoomba, Australia.

Power and his wife, Elizabeth, had their first child just three months ago. His name is Beau, and might very well be with his grandmother on race day.

“She probably won’t even watch the race,” said Power, of Penske Racing. “It’s too nerve-racking for her, so she’ll probably do something in the hotel. In 2014 was the other race she went to when I won the (series) championship in Fontana. She watched the whole thing. It’s cool to have her here, it really is.”

Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport had Friday’s second fastest time of 1:07.3576, Simon Pagenaud (Penske) was third at 1:07.3797, Takuma Sato (Andretti Autosport) fourth at 1:07.5538 and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport) was fifth at 1:07.5698.

The third practice is slated for 10:45 a.m. today with qualifying on tap for 3:30 p.m. There is a 10 percent chance of rain, according to The Weather Channel.

Andretti is son and grandson to legendary drivers Michael Andretti and Mario Andretti, respectively. Marco Andretti, 30, has not had a career that would in any way resemble those of his father and grandfather as he had just two IndyCar race wins in 11 years ahead of this season. With his respectable seventh-place finish in the season opener March 12 at St. Petersburg, and Friday’s showing, he likes what’s happening.

“Just a lot of work in the offseason,” he said. “It’s not just one thing. It’s a lot of things. It’s attention to detail. It’s, I think, our whole approach as a team.”

He was almost jovial.

“When you’re running well, it’s easier to smile,” he said. “You’re not going to run well, if you’re not smiling.”

Michael Andretti won here in 1986 and 2002. Mario Andretti won here in 1984, 1985 and 1987.

“Yeah, there’s a lot of history in general,” Marco Andretti said. “For our family, it’s definitely a special one. My dad actually won his first and his last race here, which is pretty cool. I want to win my third race here, if it’s this season.”

Both Power and Andretti talked about a bump on the resurfaced back straight, right where drivers start to brake. It seems more of an annoyance than anything.

“I had to adjust my style there, for sure, because obviously that corner, it calls for a lot of peak pressure to slow the car down,” Andretti said. “The track won’t take it because of the dive, the attitude of the car.

“I just smooth off my brake in there instead of really hammering it. Still a big bump, but it’s like it’s character, the same for everybody. It’s another obstacle you need to figure out how to overcome.”

Power said he’s hopeful race officials will grind the bump down for next year.

“Yeah, it is pretty difficult, that bump,” said Power, 36. “I actually thought we’d end up going past it, but it’s right where you hit the brakes.”

Helio Castroneves of Penske Racing had the sixth-fastest time of 1:07.5926. He won here in 2001, and really wants to do it again.

“I know Indianapolis is a prestige race, you want to win that race no matter what,” said Castroneves, who has three Indy 500 wins. “But if you want to pick another one to be recognized, it’s Long Beach because of the tradition. … When you’re talking about so many drivers have been here, have won here, you’re sort of like, ‘Man, I’ve gotta have my name here.’

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